Monday, 11 September 2017

The Libertines; On Blackheath

Ten years; ten years I'd waited to see The Libertines. I'd managed to see every member of The Libertine in their other bands, ventures & solo careers but never altogether, so seeing them so close to home was one ticked off of the bucket list! I went with my Dad, which is the total norm for my music gigs list having gone to Hop Farm Festival with him and my friend & her Dad a few years back to see Pete Doherty! We went looking forward to seeing The Libertines and Fun Lovin Criminals - my Dad definitely fan - girled a bit, and later after the gig told me the lead singer replied to his tweet, so he's off to be a groupie! There were other performers, Seasick Steve who I'd seen before playing an array of weird and wonderful instruments. One that I loved was Jake Bugg, which I didn't expect as I didn't know many of his songs without realising he'd sung them - and now I keep listening to his tune, namely Two Fingers (and watching the video with Vicky McClure in it on repeat!) On Blackheath itself was not your ordinary festival - there were multiple stages, and the whole gig was on a part of Blackheath Common which I thought was smaller than expected! On Facebook, my friends that were attending described it as 'the most middle class festival they'd ever been to' and I totally agree - there was no crazy drunkness or shenanigans that you'd find at Reading! There was a wide range of drinks, food and shopping stalls - I was pleased with the options of frozen cocktails, esp margaritas and vintage clothes stalls. I stumbled across Retro Bambi, where I bought the best leopard print bomber jacket, and I fell in love with the owner of the stall a little big, especially as she had a Blossom from Powerpuff Girls phone case which I saw when she snapped me in said leopard bomber jacket for her Instagram! Food wise - obviously only one way to go - hog roast roll (I did threaten my Dad if the van wasn't there I wouldn't be happy!)
The Libertine's were amazing and just as good as I thought they'd be - they played all the classics including Music When The Lights Go Out, What Katie Did, Can't Stand Me Now and some of their new album.